After a five-month search that included multiple screentests, Warner Bros. is poised to select its Green Lantern. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the studio has narrowed its options down to three actors: Bradley Cooper, Ryan Reynolds, and Justin Timberlake. The heroic Hal Jordan, who was the comic book's most famous Green Lantern, was "utterly honest and born without fear," so with that in mind, let's size up the finalists:
Bradley Cooper (pictured, left)
* He's currently starring in one of Warner Bros.'s biggest hits, The Hangover.
* He has the rage to play an action-hero, as he sadistically expressed in a friendly game of touch-football during Wedding Crashers.
* But has he ever played a character you'd consider "utterly honest"?
Ryan Reynolds (pictured, center)
* He's already attached to the X-Men comic-book franchise as Deadpool.
* Have you seen his abs?
* But why waste a great funnyman on such an earnest, square-jawed hero?
Justin Timberlake
* Can probably moonwalk from galaxy to galaxy, green ring or no green ring.
* Not intimidated by the idea of wearing tights.
* But extensive Green Lantern shoot could interfere with SNL hosting duties.
What say you, PopWatchers? Who would make the best Green Lantern? Take our poll, then sound off in the comments below.
Comments (1-30) of 79 Add your comment
I always pictured Ryan Reynolds as the perfect FLASH. Why? Because Flash is funny, kind of cocky, and able to bring some comic relief when he’s in the Justice League, which would fit Reynolds to a tee. Bradly Cooper would make a better Green Latern because I have seen the softer side of him when he was on Alias. Check it out for yourselves if you don’t believe me.
Ryan Reynolds will never be any other comic book character other than Deadpool just like Christian Bale can never be anyone else other than Batman. It will cause too much confusion. And Timberlake? Was that supposed to be funny or a serious option lol Sometimes I can’t tell with EW hahaha
“Utterly Honest”? Are you kidding me?! Did you miss Bradley Cooper’s run on “Alias”?
I would be really interested to see JT play it. From his previous work, he has the potential to be a fine actor.
Why the heck aren’t they casting Nathan Fillion? I am not even remotely interested in seeing the movie if they pick one of these guys. Haven’t they watched the fake trailer?? C’mon.
Ugh, as a longtime GL fan, I have to say I’m totally psyched about a movie… but none of these options excites me the least little bit. GL is older and grittier than any of these fools. I love Timberlake on SNL but can’t see him taking on this role successfully.
why does JT get any work as an actor?
I mean, I like him on SNL as a regular cast member, and his music is fine but……every movie he has been in has lost money. He is not that good, and even as stunt casting he is not a draw. So why does anyone even consider him?
To have him carry a movie like this is the worst casting since putting Richard Pryor in Superman 3.
Umm Justin Timberlake, really? Ryan Reynolds is going to be Deadpool. And Bradley Cooper is not for this role. Do they just pick who is hot right now and not think of the logistics anymore, or how to please the fans? Cause I’m sure when the wrote green lantern they always wanted a pop star who does acting on the side to portray their vision.
None of the above
100% agree with Ugly Jenny about Ryan Reynolds as the Flash! So my vote goes to Bradly Cooper
Nathan Fillion
Nathan Fillion
Nathan Fillion
Nathan Fillion
Nathan Fillion
Nathan Fillion
i would go with reynolds he already had deadpool in the bag and yes he would be awesome as the flash yes he would be a cool green lantern.
Hey, there’s this new type of punctuation, its called the colon. I know, it’s a silly name, but it would actually make your headline make sense. I know commas are cool, and easy to use but maybe, just maybe, you might want to try something else. Also, if you really don’t want to use something called a colon, try a dash.
NATHAN FILLION
Nathan Fillion.
Nathan Fillion.
There is only one Green Lantern – Lee Majors, nuff said.
Ugh, none of them. I figured Hal Jordan to be a bit older than these three, and when you Popwatch people brought up Nathan Fillion’s name, I could so see that. How about Christopher Meloni who’s doing Hal’s voice in the animated version? Hmm…
I can go along with Ryan Reynolds as the Flash, but I don’t think it would be wise to give Reynolds a superhero role if he’s gonna continue with Deadpool – he could be one or the other but not both.
Who should be Hal Jordan? Nathan Fillion, Nathan Fillion, and ONLY Nathan Fillion.
Although, casting anyone else in the role would save me $$$, since I wouldn’t see the movie.
Definitely Bradley Cooper. ‘Has he ever played a character that’s utterly honest’? Have they ever even SEEN Alias? The Will we met for the first few seasons was precisely that, to serve as counterpoint to the life of secrets and lies Sidney had to live. Bradley’d make a Great Green Lantern. Reynolds is too sarcastic (though I agree, makes him great for Deadpool, or even future Flash or Green Arrow franchises), and Justin Timberlake…seriously? Only if you want the show to become a joke.
Nathan Fillion.
I do agree though that Bradley Cooper showed earnestness back on Alias.
Of the three, Bradley Cooper is the most like Hal Jordan. Yes, he is one of my favorite DC characters due to his complexity, in the comics, Hal’s confidence sometimes slips into the realm of arrogant and even a jerk at times but all in all his heart and mind are in the right place. I think Bradley, as in many of the characters he has played, can play that flawed yet ultimately good person/hero better than the other two though both other candidates are very talented as well.
I think David Boreanz should be Green Lantern. He already did it in the animated show, why not in the flesh.
Timberlake is just a terrible idea. Hal is absolutely not tiny, blond, wimpy, wishy-washy, or a tenor. Ugh. Cooper and Reynolds have the physicality, but they are young. Sorry, but Cooper isn’t handsome enough, though in some ways, the best of the three. Reynolds, as others have said, is a near perfect Flash – he’s too boyish and quirky (though the jaw and the body work for Hal). All are too young. Nathan Fillion is pretty much perfect, and Chris Meloni isn’t a bad option (though the balding thing doesn’t work for me). Fillion has the hair, the jaw, the body, the looks and the acting chops to do the Green Lantern the right way.
Nathan Fillion, please! He is wayyyyy more talented than those three.
If I were the studio, Id definitley hire Nathan Fillion to be the Green Lantern, instead of these three
JT needs to get a grip. Hosting and sketch duties on SNL is NOT the same as acting or carrying a movie.
I heard Henry Cavill (the Tudors) is also up for the role. I think he’d make an excellent Hal Jordan. Thoughts?
Nathan Fillion is a perfect idea, if WB is worried about his marketability, they could just do what they did with the first Batman, by casting the titular role with an actor who has a cult following and casting the villian with A-list award winning superstar. So Fillon would be in, and would be perfect.
I just have to no right here and now. I love the character and would prefer an actor that I have never heard of, that can act. Not some face that commands screen time, the character is this movie not the actor. How many starving actors are out there in Hollywood, come on give some new blood a chance, not the same retreads. Besides I really like Green Lantern.